No plea: Neville was told the alleged offence could only be heard in front of a jury at Crown Court

District Judge James Prowse asked Neville to stand and granted him bail on condition that he does not enter the Bulls Head pub in Bury and told him he must appear for a preliminary hearing at Bolton Crown Court on July 1.

Neville left court without comment but his solicitor advocate Mr McKay said: "Mr Neville is accused of sexual assault and appeared before Bury Magistrates' Court this morning for the purpose of the case being transferred to the Crown Court.

"He denies the allegation fully. Beyond this, because the matter is proceeding to trial, there can be no further comment."

Sporting family: Neville Neville, pictured with his two sons, Gary (above) and Phil

As well as working as an agent for his sons, outgoing Everton captain Phil and former Manchester United captain Gary - now an England coach and TV pundit - Neville Neville is a former director of League One side Bury FC.

He was also a sportsman in his own right, and played for Greenmount in the Bolton Cricket League in the 1980s.